Council approves one-year extension for OpenGov Cartograph while RFP proceeds

The San Diego City Council on Aug. 31 approved a one-year amendment to the City’s sole-source contract with OpenGov Inc. for the Cartograph pavement-management software, allowing an optional second year while staff completes a competitive procurement.

Interim Transportation Director Naomi Chavez told the council the amendment “would add up to $237,000 for year 6 and 7, increasing the new total contract value up to $777,000” and includes a 3% annual inflation factor. Chavez and her team said the extension is intended to preserve continuity while the city conducts a full request-for-proposal and completes a citywide pavement condition assessment.

Jordan Moore of the Office of the Independent Budget Analyst said the IBA’s earlier concerns about the timeline and sole-source justification had been addressed by the July RFI. “We are encouraged by the results of this process and by Transportation’s response to it,” Moore said, noting staff’s commitment to run a full RFP and, if needed, manage vendor transition timelines.

Public commenters both praised the IBA’s oversight and criticized sole-source practice. One commenter warned of concentrated ownership in large investors and described the extension as a potential example of “fraud, waste, and abuse” in procurement; that speaker’s allegations were treated as public comment and not staff findings.

Council President LaCava moved the staff recommendation and Council President Pro Tem Lee seconded. The motion passed unanimously, 6–0, with Councilmembers Moreno, Von Wilpert and Campbell absent. Council members said the item was changed sufficiently since July to allow the limited extension while the RFP moves forward.

Officials said the extension is time-limited to allow completion of a competitive procurement and any required vendor transition. The city will proceed with an RFP based on RFI findings and report back to council on that process.